Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer faces backlash for negotiating a trade reset with the EU that threatens to compromise Britain’s fishing rights and sovereignty in exchange for access to EU defence funds, sparking warnings from critics and industry insiders.
Sir Keir Starmer Faces Backlash for Surrendering British Sovereignty in Proposed Trade Deal with EU Over Fisheries and Defence
The new Labour government under Sir Keir Starmer is drawing fierce criticism for reportedly negotiating a damaging trade reset with the European Union that risks conceding Britain’s hard-won fishing rights and undermining sovereign control in exchange for access to a €150 billion EU defence fund — a move that smacks of desperate dependence on Brussels and threatens UK interests.
At the centre of the controversy is the UK’s push to join the EU’s Security Action for Europe fund, designed to bankroll high-tech defence innovations like missile systems, drones, and cybersecurity. British defence companies, including household names like BAE Systems, have so far been excluded because of the absence of a formal UK-EU security pact. Instead of standing firm, the Labour government now appears ready to sacrifice core national priorities—fishing rights, a non-negotiable symbol of Brexit’s promise—in a bid to win EU approval.
Defence insiders warn that the government’s eagerness to tap EU funds sends a damaging message that British defence sectors cannot thrive independently and must instead “bend the knee” to EU demands—particularly those of France. Sources argue the UK should be investing domestically and championing our own defence industry, rather than kowtowing to Brussels.
Opponents from across the right and pro-Brexit spectrum have slammed Starmer’s approach. A prominent Conservative figure warned that Labour’s negotiations amount to “selling out our fishing rights” after years of hard-fought Brexit gains. Critics highlight that the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy has devastated the British fishing sector for decades, and the post-Brexit restoration of quota control was a vital win for UK sovereignty. Now, Labour risks reversing all progress by effectively handing fishing grounds back to French and other EU fleets.
The 2020 Brexit deal, brokered under Boris Johnson, clearly aimed to return 25% of formerly lost fishing rights to British waters by June 2024, with expectations of further gains thereafter. The EU’s ongoing resistance—especially from France and Spain—should only harden the government’s resolve to uphold these rights, not undermine them through concessions.
Former environment secretary George Eustice has urged the government to stand strong, reminding that the UK holds significant leverage in security and border negotiations. Allowing the EU to freeload on British fisheries resources would be a grave strategic error.
Further alarming is the proposal to resurrect aspects of freedom of movement via a new youth mobility scheme, allowing young Britons and EU nationals to live and work across borders for up to a year or more. This move echoes rejected EU demands and undermines the fundamental Brexit principle of controlling our borders.
A government spokesperson’s attempt to spin the summit discussions as “stable and positive” belies the harsh reality: Labour’s trade reset threatens the very sovereignty Brexit was fought to restore. The looming UK-EU summit on 19 May may cement policies that sacrifice UK interests and betray voters’ trust.
As Reform UK leaders have repeatedly warned, any government that softens Britain’s Brexit achievements under pressure from Brussels does a disservice to the nation. Our defence industry’s future depends on bold domestic investment, not relying on EU handouts. Our fishermen deserve protection, not sellouts. And border control must remain firmly in British hands.
Starmer’s current trajectory is a stark reminder that only a government committed to real Brexit deliverables can secure prosperity and independence for the United Kingdom.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/04/15/starmer-eu-reset-risks-usa-trade-deal/ – This article corroborates the claim that Sir Keir Starmer is negotiating a new partnership with the EU that could risk the UK’s trade deal with the US, highlighting concerns about aligning with EU food and veterinary standards and its impact on independent trade decisions.
- https://www.gbnews.com/politics/keir-starmer-rachel-reeves-eu-us-trade-washington – This source supports the information about Starmer’s focus on resetting Brexit relations with the EU and the political discussions around the UK prioritising trade relations with the EU over the US, reflecting internal government dynamics and public messaging.
- https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/the-pope-s-funeral-is-a-chance-for-keir-starmer-to-seal-the-deal-with-european-leaders-b2740022.html – This article provides context on Starmer’s diplomatic efforts with European leaders, including France, which ties into the broader narrative of negotiations around trade, border control, and sovereignty, particularly relating to fishing rights and mobility schemes.
- https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/04/25/uk-chancellor-says-eu-trade-relations-arguably-more-important-than-us – This source corroborates the claim about the UK Chancellor’s statement emphasizing the importance of trade relations with the EU, supporting the view of the UK government’s shift in trade priorities in the post-Brexit landscape.
- https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/politics/rachel-reeves-trade-deal-us-trump-uk-eu-b2739323.html – This article relates to the political criticism within the Labour Party regarding trade priorities, reinforcing the tensions between pursuing stronger EU ties at the potential expense of US trade ambitions.
- https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/dec/01/uk-fishing-industry-brexit-recovery-concerns – This report explains the significance of fishing rights post-Brexit and the importance of maintaining UK sovereignty over fishing grounds, supporting concerns highlighted about potential Labour concessions risking British fishing sector gains.
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14651775/Kemi-Badenoch-accuses-Labour-leader-selling-British-fishing-rights-EU-new-trade-deal.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
5
Notes:
No publication date provided in the article text, but the referenced UK-EU summit on 19 May and Brexit timeline (e.g., 2020 deal, ‘June 2024’ fishing rights milestone) suggest recent context. However, inability to verify exact article date reduces score.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
No direct quotes explicitly attributed to individuals (e.g., ‘a prominent Conservative figure’ unnamed). General references to ‘defence insiders’ and ‘sources’ lack specific citations, limiting verification.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
Narrative originates from Daily Mail, a tabloid with a history of partisan reporting. While often influential, its reliability on politically charged Brexit-related topics warrants caution.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
Claims align with post-Brexit tensions (e.g., fishing rights, defence partnerships). However, lack of specific policy documents or named negotiators to corroborate ‘concessions’ leaves room for debate.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents plausible post-Brexit tensions but relies heavily on unnamed sources and lacks direct quotations or verifiable policy details. While the general framework aligns with known EU-UK negotiation dynamics, specific claims about Labour’s concessions require further corroboration.
